The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-25
RECENT THEATRICAL VENTURES.
The New Opera Which Succeeds Erm-
inie at the Casino.

New YORK, Sept 34-The Casino made
dangerous experiment ON Monday night.
1t is doubtful if more risky change could
be imagined than that of sending away all
of their old and tried favorites on the road,
and producing an entirely new opera with
fresh troupe, and all the details in pro
nounced and emphatic contrast to the opera
"Erminie." Mr.. Daily, Mr. Wallack, and
nearly all the prominent managers are
chary of a change of this sort. If they pro-
duce piece that is entirely different from
the entertainment that they have been Civ
ing at their theatres, they invariably throw
out sheet anchor or two to the windward
in the shape of actors who have a strong
hold upon the public. For instance, the
clever people in "Ermnien would succeed
in almost any opera. BY casting them in a
new piece it would have been sure of an
'acting success" even though it might have
failed musically, or on its intrinsic merits.
Mr. Rudolph Aronson, however, took the
ground, that, as ''ErnliDiep has been rum
ming nearly two years, at the house, the
best thing that he could do for his patrons
was to give them an entire change of bill.
The Marquis was therefore brought out
in magnificent style, and with young come
dams, tenorS and prima donnas. 1t scored a
hit of hand. In 1t are such excellent singers
as Bertha Ricci, Isabelle Urquhardt. Lii
liam Grubb, Courtice Pounds and Mark
Smith. The scene of the opera is laid in
France about the year 1850, and the plot
hinges on the adventures of three lovely
young girls named Mae, Marie and Marion.
They meet accidentally on a stage
coach, and, before separating, agree to
meet again at the expiration of five years,
for the purpose of comparing their adven-
lures and their fortunes. They meet at an
inn which proves to be the property of
Marion, who has inherited it from an uncle
The other two girls have climbed into
higher circles of society, one of them being
befriended by the King himself, and the
other by dashing light opera prince. Then
there is handsome colonel, who is also a
marquis, and who displays an amazing
facility for falling in love with everybody,
at all conceivable times and i'll every possi-
BILE place. The material for the opera is
amusing, and everything about it in keep
ing with the perfect taste that has lifted the
Casino to the front ranks of light opera
houses. The amount Of care which has
been bestowed upon the production would
do credit to grand opera organization, and
there is no doubt that the piece will run
well along in the footsteps of "Erninie."
Had the Marquis been produced with
shade less of intelligence, care and indie
fatigable labor, its success would have been
doubtful, but every point has been polished,
and every character developed to its ut
most. The costumes are gorgeous, of course.
The same cause which has led to the sue
cess of 1.-The Marquis" stamped the Great
Pink Pearl at the Lyceum Theatre with
the seal of emphatic approval 1t is very
seldom indeed that play receives more
thorough drilling and artistic tutoring than
Mr. Daniel Froham has given to the pieco
which opened his first season at the Lyceum
Theatre. There is q lesson in it for the Slip
shod management of any of the other houses
in town. Insufficient rehearsals and care
lessly gathered companies ruined the Union
Square and Wallack's Theatres Thorough
ness in these matters has made Daly's sue
cess, and it will kaye the same effect on Fro
hams Lyceum Theatre No piece has ever
been presented in New York with more
beauty and finish than "The Great Pink
Pearl" Mr. Edward f5othern, the distin-
guished son of the famous father, added
new triumph 20 his already brilliant achieve
ments of the past year. He appeared both
piece that preceded it, called ''Edtha's
Burglar" The first was a strong
bit of character acting, and the second was
a juvenile role which was played with de
lightful spirit and dash. He carried off
most Of the honors, though bIr. Herbert
Kelcey and Mr.. Rowland Blackstone were
well to the fore The composition of this
y,
FTohman will manage il, suggests that Mr.
DAILY will have br SIX rival in the field.
Frohman is in some respects the brainiest
manager in New Notk, and he has about
him a company of unequalled excellence,
consisting as it does of W. J I.emoyne,
Edward SotheFn, Herbert kelcey, Rowland
Blackstone and Herbert Archer among the
men. and Grace Henderson, Eta Hawkins,
andf Madame DeNaucaoze. The prrsonelle
of this troupe cannot he approached b. the
companies of either Wallack's, Days or tee
Madison Square, rs far as the men are con
cerned. The first performance was as
smooth as though the play had run for
hundred nights A neat hit was made by
man named Cotton, who said nothing
through the piece but "so.n lie rang the
changes on this monosyllable with extraor-
dinary humor. After the dismal failures of
the past two weeks, two such remarkable
successes as "The Marquis and The Little
Pink PEARL are worth chroncling